CN101304715A - Absorption matter containing humidity detection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention concerns an absorbent article (10) comprising at least one wetness detecting means (18). This at least one wetness detecting means (18) comprises an electrical circuit (20), which is integrally formed into said article (10). The at least one electrical circuit (20) is fabricated from an electrically active material (22) which has been printed onto one or more components of the absorbent article (10).

Description

The assimilate that comprises moist checkout gear

Technical field

The present invention relates to comprise the assimilate of moist checkout gear.

Background technology

The assimilate that contains dissimilar checkout gears is known, and they help to remind variation in the assimilate (for example, make dirty incident) to user or nursing staff.Such checkout gear makes user or nursing staff need not scrutiny or removes assimilate and just can easily determine whether to need to change assimilate.

Can merge to well-known checkout gear in the assimilate and be in case contact the form that just changes them or the chemical substance of character with liquid.For example, the assimilate indication of being made dirty can be from change color or the appearance or the disappearance of the element on the assimilate.Such technology can from, for example, know among US 5389093, WO 04/028403 and the WO 05/030084.Such checkout gear is useful in some cases, but is not so useful in the mechanism as child-care center, confide-old center or the hospital that usually must be monitored the state of a large amount of wearers by limited staff.Because coloured element still must be that the nursing staff can see, still need to disturb wearer so whether definite assimilate is made dirty.This usually needs mobile wearer, and removes or put in order their clothes.

WO 02/47592 discloses the assimilate of the status signal equipment that contains the variation of passing on the state that is subjected to monitor portion.Signalling equipment can comprise the pick off that is positioned at assimilate, and this pick off is connected with exterior section outside being positioned at assimilate.RF (radio frequency) link that can produce by exterior section sends to receptor with the variation (for example, making dirty) of the state of assimilate from signalling equipment.Exterior section is included in outside the assimilate, and is fixed on the appropriate location by for example shackle-type fastener.Like this, it can be removed or replace and be subjected to external action (interference of for example, wearing and tearing, humidity, wearer).And it is relatively costly that the legacy device that is described in the exterior section of WO 02/47592 is produced it, and this makes its processing become expensive again and more likely is reused.

US 2005/0156744 has described that the similar diaper to WO 02/47592, wherein, the dismountable type transmitter is installed in outside the diaper.

WO 02/78513 has described the fluid discharge monitoring arrangement that is used for diaper.This device comprises the RF label that fluid discharge is responded in the diaper.In WO 02/78513, the character of the parts in the manufacturing that is used in monitoring arrangement is discussed.

JP 2005000602 has described the moist checkout equipment that comprises the RF-ID label in the diaper.This label comprises IC chip, Control on Communication part, data storage medium and antenna.

Although the electronic detecting device of state of indication assimilate has the advantage that obviously surpasses visual inspection device, they still exist costliness, hard, volume big and be difficult to merge to shortcoming in the assimilate during manufacture.In addition, many tradition (based on silicon) electronic unit is not easy to handle or degraded (for example, battery and PCB (printed circuit board (PCB))).Material as weld metal the legacy device of circuit and paper, plastics and the fibrous material in being used in new-type assimilate is incompatible.They also not with the production that is used in assimilate in quick assembly line manufacture method compatible.Because assimilate mainly thinks disposable use (that is, they are accessible), so if electronic detecting device not only cheaply but also had easily been handled, this will have very big advantage.Therefore, need a kind ofly can merge in the assimilate easily, the advantage of detection of electrons is provided and manufacture be the simple again and easy to handle checkout gear of cheapness.

Summary of the invention

The invention solves and in the art relevant the problems referred to above of existing assimilate.The present invention relates to comprise the assimilate of at least one moist checkout gear.At least one moist checkout gear comprises at least one circuit, and described at least one circuit is integrally formed in the described assimilate.At least one circuit is made by the electric active material on the one or more parts that are printed on assimilate.

In one embodiment of the invention, moist checkout gear is passive, that is, it does not comprise power supply.

At least one circuit can comprise the capacitor and the inducer of serial or parallel connection, wherein, and the resonant frequency of the variable effect circuit of the humidity of assimilate.Suitable is the electric capacity of the variable effect capacitor of the humidity of assimilate.Capacitor can comprise the superabsorbent polymer between the flat board of capacitor.And capacitor can comprise the water-soluble substances between the flat board of capacitor.

In one aspect, the variation of the humidity of assimilate destroys the resonant frequency of circuit.

Circuit can further comprise pick off in parallel or placed in-line with capacitor and inducer, wherein, and the electric conductance of the electric current of the variable effect flows through sensor of the humidity of assimilate.

In another embodiment of the present invention, moist checkout gear is active, that is, it comprises power supply.According to this embodiment, moist checkout gear can comprise at least one printing unit of selecting from the group that comprises printed battery, printed antenna, printed memory circuits, printed logic and printed sensor.At least one printing unit can be selected from the group that comprises printed battery, printed antenna and printed sensor.

A plurality of pick offs that can comprise the zones of different that is positioned at assimilate according to moist checkout gear of the present invention.And assimilate can comprise a plurality of moist checkout gear of the zones of different that is positioned at assimilate.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the diaper of opening that comprises electronic detecting device according to of the present invention;

Fig. 1 a-c shows first embodiment of printed circuit of the present invention;

Fig. 2 a-c shows second embodiment of printed circuit of the present invention;

Fig. 3 a-c shows the 3rd embodiment of printed circuit of the present invention;

Figure 4 and 5 show the 4th embodiment of printed circuit of the present invention; With

Fig. 6 shows the operation signal of electronic detecting device of the present invention.

The specific embodiment

Assimilate

The present invention relates to as diaper, hood-like diaper, belt-diapers or incontinence protection the assimilate of in Fig. 1, representing withlabel 10 generality.Assimilate comprises liquid-permeable topsheet 12, the impermeableegative film 14 of liquid and the absorbent cores between them 16.

Liquid-permeable topsheet 12 is alternatively by non-textile material, and for example, the spunbonded materials of continuous fiber, molten material, bonded carded fibrous web or the plastic film of blowing are formed.Also can use dissimilar laminations alternatively, for example, the lamination of non-textile material and plastic sheeting.The material that is applicable to liquid-permeable topsheet 12 should be softish and skin do not had irritating.And top flat 12 can be different in the different piece of assimilate 10.

Non-textile material that the impermeableegative film 14 of liquid can be crossed by plastic sheeting, with the saturating only material processed of liquid or the non-textile material of hydrophobicity that stops liquid to infiltrate are formed.The liquid-barrier of other type can certainly be used as the impermeableegative film 14 of liquid, for example, closed cell plastic foam, various liquid obscures laminations etc.Best, the impermeableegative film 14 of liquid is air and vapor permeable.

Top flat 12 andegative film 14 are a bit larger thamabsorbent cores 16 along planar development the time, and expand to outside its edge.For example, glue together or bonding, top flat 12 andegative film 14 are interconnected in their ledge by heating or ultrasound wave.

Absorbent cores 16 can be any traditional type.The example of absorbing material commonly used is cellulose fluff pulp, flimsy material layer, high absorption polymer (so-called " superabsorbent thing "), absorbent foam materials, absorption non-woven fabric etc.It is common in absorber cellulose fluff pulp and superabsorbent thing being combined.It also is common absorber being comprised have the different material layer of the different qualities relevant with storage capacity with liquid capacitation, liquid dispersion ability.Common thin absorber usually comprises the compressed mixed or the hierarchy of cellulose fluff pulp and superabsorbent thing in incontinence protection.

Assimilate as the diaper need makecertain tightening device 20 of assimilate 10 closures usually.Suitable tightening device 20 can be as the mechanical fastener the shackle-type fastener, binding agent as the pressure sensitive adhesive or the combination of machinery and adhesive fasteners.

If assimilate 10 is belt-diapers, it will comprise band-like portions, so that band-like portions comprise the substrate parts of the lumbar region of diaper.Band-like portions are attached to or are buckled in the front portion or the rear portion of assimilate, and be buckled together mutually around the waist of wearer.Then, assimilate is passed between two lower limbs of wearer, be buckled on the band-like portions by in front portion or the rear portion another.Aforesaidtightening device 20 is present on the band-like portions and is present on the front/rear portion, so that can closed securely assimilate 10.The wearing of the assimilate 10 of Shi Xianing makes wearer easily oneself dress belt-diapers by this way, even makes subscriber station also more changing babies' napkin.

Flexible member 18 may reside among the assimilate 10 of the present invention, for example, and at shank or waist opening place.The character of above-mentionedflexible member 18 and position are that those of ordinary skill in the art is known, and unit need be discussed further here.

Comprise at least onemoist checkout gear 30 according to assimilate 10 of the present invention.Thischeckout gear 30 had first electrical characteristics usually before assimilate 10 is made dirty, have second electrical characteristics after the incident of making dirty.Be presented among Fig. 1 with cutaway perspective form according to thediaper 10 opened that comprisesmoist checkout gear 30 of the present invention.

Can print electric active material

The present invention need use the electricactive material 50 that can print.Term " electricity activate " be used in refer in this description can conduct charges, therefore can be with the material that can make circuit or its parts.Although the boundary line between conduction or the semiconductive active material is clearly definition, with regard to the degree of requirement that they satisfy related circuit, the present invention includes this two aspects.Electricityactive material 50 is not limited to purified material, also can comprise themixture 50 of any type of electric active material.

Electricityactive material 50 should be printable.This meansmaterial 50 under liquid or solution form be stable (promptly, can dissolution process), and can be applied to surface (parts of assimilate in this case) with desirable pattern or form, then, after material drying or cooling, keep pattern or form.Electricityactive material 50 also should have makes them can stand the deflection and the tensile mechanical property that may be present among the assimilate 10.They should be stable (that is it are stable, dampness, sunlight, oxygen being waited) for the environment that uses them also.Printing can be by changeing intaglio as laser printing, ink jet printing, temperature-sensitive printing, silk screen printing, offset printing, surface printing and wheel, and standard technique known in the prior art is carried out.

Conducting polymer is printable class electricity active material 50.Such polymer generally have by, for example, be included in the structure that π key (two keys or triple bond), aromatic series or lone electron pair in the polymer chain makes the serious displacement of electronics.Therefore, electronics can freely move along polymer architecture.The polymer of the electronics of the degree decision electrical conductivity of displacement-contain displacement difference is than those of displacement are more non-conductive continuously on whole polymer architecture.The example of conductor polymer is, polyhenylene-vinylene (PPV), polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPy).Provided the structure of these polymer below.

Like this electricity of polymer, machinery and chemical characteristic can be on demand crosslinked or alternative by for example polymer, or before printing, they and other combination of materials are adjusted together.In many cases, need cover on the polymer by printing block film, or by preventing that with stopping matrix while deposited polymer these polymer are influenced by dampness or air.

It is another kind of that to print electricactive material 50 are particle suspensions.These materials comprise the granule of the conductive material that is suspended in organic solvent or the carrier (for example, metal as silver or copper or image-stone China ink such nonmetal).These granules provide the material with desired electrical conductivity, and organic solvent or carrier provide required physical characteristic (for example, plasticity, thermal coefficient of expansion, easy application, stickiness and fracture toughness).Organic solvent or carrier also may influence the electrical characteristics of electric active material.Organic solvent can evaporate after printing, in this case, has only these granules to be retained on the print surface.Alternately, organic carrier can the printing after hardening so that with these granule sealed (trap) in carrier.The back a kind of embodiment example be epoxy resin, such particle suspensions can from DuPont electronics or

Sweden company buys.

Of the present inventionly print the mixture that electricactive material 50 can comprise above-mentioned particle suspensions and conducting polymer.

Type on required circuit is decided, and different electricactive materials 50 can be printed in the zones of different or parts of assimilate.By the electricactive material 50 of on same area or parts, repeating print (alternately, having different electrical characteristics), can be with the stacked top of each other that is added in of electric active material.Alternately, electronic unit can be made with the intermediate layer of the parts of assimilate, so that form sandwich type structure.This can find out in the profile from Fig. 1.The parts of assimilate 10 can be selected or that be processed into permeable electric active material or anti-electric active material.All these means make the circuit of making complexity become possibility.

Printed circuit

Comprise thecircuit 40 that is integrally formed in the described assimilate 10 according tocheckout gear 30 of the present invention, described at least onecircuit 40 is made by the electricactive material 50 on the one or more parts that are printed on assimilate 10.

These circuit are divided into two kinds of general categorys: comprise the active circuit as the power supply of the parts of circuit; The power supply that does not comprise one of parts as them, but the passive circuit that the response additional power source works.

The meaning of phrase " whole form " is thatcircuit 40 is integral parts ofassimilate 10, does not destroy assimilate 10 orcircuit 40 or both just can not remove or take apart.Under some environment, electricactive material 50 can infiltrate in the parts of assimilate 10.

Fig. 1 a shows the circuit diagram of the tuning circuit of being made up ofcapacitor 60 and inducer 70 (also being called rlc circuit).Certainly, there is the resistance of some in circuit; Alternately, resistor can be included in wherein in series or in parallel withcapacitor 60 and inducer 70.

The capacitor C of capacitor can be expressed as with mathematical expression:

$C=\frac{A{\mathrm{\ϵ}}_0{\mathrm{\ϵ}}_r}{d}$

Wherein, A is the area (unit for square metre) of capacitor plate, and d is the distance (unit is rice) between the flat board, ε₀It is the dielectric constant (about 8.8542 * 10 of free space^-12And ε farad/rice),_rBe the dielectric relative dielectric constant that is included between the capacitor plate, for example,capacitor 60 comprisesdielectric layer 80 between its flat board 90.The cellulose of paper and cotton products has about 6.5 relative dielectric constant.Impregnation drying thin paper (kraft paper) does not have about 2.1 relative dielectric constant.Polymer as polyethylene and polypropylene has relative dielectric constant (reference: Kaye and the Laby in the scope of 2.2-2.5 roughly, Tablesof Physical and Chemical Constants (physics and chemical constant table), the 15th edition, 1986).

On simple level, the inductance L of inducer is expressed as with mathematical expression:

$L=\frac{N^{2}A{\mathrm{\μ}}_0{\mathrm{\μ}}_r}{l}$

Wherein, μ₀Be pcrmeability (4 π * 10 of free space^-7Enjoy sharp every meter), μ₁Be the relative permeability (dimensionless) of magnetic core, N is the number of turn of inducer, and A is square metre being the cross-sectional area of the inducer of unit, and l is to be the length of unit with rice.

The resonant frequency f of tuning circuit₀Can from the value of L and C, calculate by following formula:

$f_0=\frac{1}{2\mathrm{\π}\sqrt{\mathrm{LC}}}$

Therefore, in case applied external RF field, the tuning circuit that in being illustrated in Fig. 1 a resonates with natural reonant frequency, and natural reonant frequency can be by selecting to be listed in top capacitor and the inducer variable is adjusted.

In one embodiment of the invention, the resonant frequency f of thevariable effect circuit 40 of the humidity of assimilate 10₀There are the many modes that reach this purpose.

At first, the humidity of assimilate 10 may influence the electric capacity of capacitor 60.For example, the material of water-swellable is present in thedielectric layer 80 between theflat board 90 ofcapacitor 60,, just increases apart from d, thereby electric capacity is reduced so that in case become wet.Alternately, liquid absorption material (as superabsorbent polymer (SAP), cellulose or any other liquid absorption material) is present in thedielectric layer 80 between theflat board 90 of capacitor 60.Liquid is absorbed into has the relative permeability (ε that improves liquid absorption material in the liquid absorption material_r) effect (because glassware for drinking water high relative permeability is arranged), the electric capacity ofcapacitor 60 is increased.As another kind of alternative, water-soluble substances as the inorganic salt is present in thedielectric layer 80 between theflat board 90 of capacitor 60.Water-soluble substances is once contacting dissolving with liquid, therefore, the electric capacity of capacitor 24 will change, and the resonant frequency f of circuit₀Also will change.As another kind of alternative, the changes in resistance of circuit will change the resonant frequency f of circuit₀The resistance of thevariable effect circuit 40 of the humidity of assimilate 10.This can pass through, and for example, uses realized by the conducting polymer materials (for example, epoxy resin) of water solublity block film protection.In case change is wet, thin film is dissolving just, and water, salt and carbamide will react the resistance of change circuit, thereby change resonant frequency f with conducting polymer materials₀

When on the parts that are printed on the such assimilate of sensitive paper sheet or plastic sheeting, be illustrated diagrammatically in circuit among Fig. 1 a and can have form shown in Fig. 1 b.Fig. 1 b illustration comprise theinducer 70 of the flat spiral in the electricactive material 50 on the parts that are printed on assimilate 10.Helix is usually between 5 to 20 circles.Helix contains first center 110.Correspondingsecond center 120 is printed on the respective face of parts of assimilate-flat board of thecapacitor 90 that these twocenters 110 and 120 parts that constitute absorbate 10 together separate.Circuit is finished the electric active material thatsecond center 120 is connected with the outer end of helix by the parts by assimilate 10.

An alternative form that is illustrated diagrammatically in the printed circuit among Fig. 1 a is presented among Fig. 1 c.Fig. 1 c illustration comprise theinducer 70 of flat spiral form such among the imagepattern 1b.Capacitor 60 by outside the zone of forming by helix,first district 160 and second district 170 that are positioned on the opposite face of parts of assimilate 10 form.Thisfirst district 160 and second district 170 constitute the flat board ofcapacitor 90 together.

The humidity ofassimilate 10 can influence the resonant frequency f of circuit 40₀A kind of alternative way be bydamaging circuit 40, evencircuit 40 is ineffective.In other words, the variation of the humidity of assimilate 10 destroys the resonant frequency f ofcircuit 40₀This can obtain by the circuit shown in Fig. 2 a.Such circuit comprisesweak spot 200, andweak spot 200 comprises the electricity active material of water solublity for example or is printed on electric active material on the water-soluble component.When applying external RF field, comprise the assimilate that is illustrated in circuit such among Fig. 2 a and just resonate with its resonant frequency.But in case contact with liquid,circuit 40 physics disconnect, and becauseweak spot 200 becomes high resistance or almost opens a way, when applying external RF field,circuit 40 will can not resonate.

Fig. 2 b shows how to print thecircuit 40 that is illustrated diagrammatically among Fig. 2 a.In its printing form,circuit 40 has and much at one form shown in Fig. 1 b, and inducer 70 comprises flat spiral and constitutes twocenters 300 and 310 of theflat board 90 of capacitor 60.Circuit shown in Fig. 2 b comprises theweak spot 200 that in a single day contacts with liquid with regard to disconnecting.

In a further embodiment,circuit 40 can comprise andcapacitor 60 andinducer 70pick offs 400 in parallel or placed in-line.The electric conductance of the electric current of the variable effect flows throughsensor 400 of the humidity of assimilate 10.Illustration the circuit diagram of use of pick off 400 be presented among Fig. 3 a.

Printedsensors 400 can be taked many forms.A kind of may be with top at capacitor 24 described those similar sandwich type structure printed sensor 400.The two-layer electricactive material 50 that this structure need be separated by dielectric material.Alternately, pick off can have interdigitated structure, and wherein, electricactive material 50 is printed as a pair of " skewer ", and the fork thigh of skewer is interlaced, but does not electrically contact between the fork thigh.This layout is favourable, because it can be printed in one deck, makes more cheap than the printing multilamellar.Therefore, in one embodiment of the invention,moist checkout gear 30 is printed near the parts of theassimilate 10 the inner surface of theegative film 14 that is inassimilate 10.

Related those principles of the related principle of pick off 400 andcapacitor 60 are similar.In case contact with liquid, the dielectric constant of pick off 400 just changes.This can realize by the physical size or the relative dielectric constant that in a single day contact the pick off 400 that just changes with liquid.Consequently, the resonant frequency f of tuning circuit₀Change.

Fig. 4 shows the circuit diagram of the more level circuit that can constitutemoist checkout gear 30, represent with 500 generality.Main circuit comprises the in parallelfirst inducer 70a, thefirst capacitor 60a and pick off 400, and with thefirst inducer 70a diode in series 410.Pick off 400 is that to comprise the secondary circuit of the tuning circuit of thesecond inducer 70b and thesecond capacitor 60b in parallel bytransistor 420 anditself.Transistor 420 further is connected with the3rd inducer 70c by highvalue biasing resistor 430.

The more operation oflevel circuit 500 is described now.When operation,circuit 500 is had first frequency f₁Alternating magnetic field domination: first frequency is useful at 10kHz in the scope of 100kHz.Thefirst inducer 70a is arranged to comprise enough numbers of turn and has enough area A, so that have the amplitude of a few voltage magnitudes at the induced signal in thefirst inducer 70a twoends.Diode 410 plays a part signal rectification, so that generate the working power voltage that passes thefirst capacitor 60a.

When pick off 40 dryings (that is, the incident of not making dirty), rely on biasingresistor 430 that the transistor biasing of NPN type or MOS type is become non-conductive state; Under such non-conductive state, the disable transistor vibration.

When making incident dirty, pick off 400 becomes conduction, maketransistor 420 be biased to the activation part of its characteristic: therefore, between the second and the3rd inducer 70b and 70c, to produce positive feedback, make transistor with frequency f by thesecond inducer 70b andsecond capacitor 60b definition₂Vibration.Alternatively, second frequency f₂At least be frequency f haply greater than the excitation field that applies₁Data level.

Fig. 5 illustration how thecircuit 500 of Fig. 4 is printed on the assimilate 10.Thefirst inducer 70a comprises a large amount of relatively (for example, 50-500) coil, and can be illustrated in Fig. 1-3 in the identical mode of circuit be printed on the first capacitor 60a.Pick off 400 can be illustrated in Fig. 3 in identicalmode print.Diode 410 can be laid the mode of the multilamellar electricity active material with selected electrical characteristics and print, so that form required p-n junction.Similarly, in MOS or bipolar transistor realization, the electric active material layer with different electrical characteristics can be used to make up transistor 420.Recently, (University ofCalifornia Berkeley) has reported to have up to 0.1-0.2cm the people²The mobility of/V-s and up to 10⁴The switch rate all print transistor (University of California, Berkeley).At first, utilize gold nano-crystal that gate electrode is printed in the substrate.Then carry out process annealing, then by ink jet printing deposition polymeric dielectrics.Then, utilize gold nano-crystal printing source/drain contact once more.

The second and the3rd inducer 70b and 70c comprise the coil (for example, 5-20 coil) that lacks than first inducer, and can be illustrated in Fig. 1-3 in the identical mode of circuit be printed on the second capacitor 60b.Best, thefirst inducer 70a is away from the second and the3rd inducer 70b and 70c, so that the coupling between thefirst inducer 70a and the second and the3rd inducer 70b and the 70c reduces to minimum.For example, thefirst inducer 70a can be positioned at the back ofassimilate 10, and the second and the3rd inducer 70b and 70c can be positioned at the front of assimilate 10.Suitable is, pick off 400 is printed in the crotch region (crotch region) of assimilate 10, and this is the easiest moist zone that detects.Frequency f₂High frequency radiation can be selectively to frequency f₂The external detection equipment that the radiation of sending from assimilate 10 responds detects in (for example, head-end unit 700).

Substitute as a kind of of above-mentioned passivewetness checkout gear 30,moist checkout gear 30 can be active, that is, it comprises power supply.The activemoist checkout gear 30 of even now is more complicated, but they can provide the function wideer than passive wetness checkout gear 18.Printedcircuit 40 can be divided into five major parts.They are printed battery, printed antenna, printed memory circuits, printed logic and printed sensor.The most basic parts are printed battery, printed antenna and printed sensor.

Printed battery comprises and is clipped in two electrolyte between the electrode.In printed battery, electrolyte has the form that seals with the gel of avoiding leaking usually.The electrolyte that is suitable for is carbon-zinc electrolyte or zinc-manganese dioxide.A kind of possibility structure of printed battery is based on the alternating layer of zinc and manganese dioxide negative electrode and cathode layer.Printed battery can have the thickness between general 0.5 to 1 millimeter, and if circular, has the diameter between 25 to 50 millimeters.Typical case's output voltage is 1.5V; Identical with many conventional batteries.They are by standardization printing, drying and laminating apparatus and technology manufacturing.Printed battery can buy from the PowerPaperLtd. company of for example Israel or Thin Battery Technology (TBT) the Inc company of the U.S..Battery itself can play pick off.Printed battery can be made by this way: before by the liquid contact, they are unactivated.In case activate (getting wet), battery just is sent to electric current the circuit that comprises one or more antennas.So just generate the RF signal.Such battery does not need discrete sensor, but and storage-stable.

Antenna can printed antenna, the form of insert or closed label exists.Antenna uses with the paper of assimilate usually and polymer elements is compatible, print as the particle suspensions based on silver above-mentioned those.Such antenna can provide the performance that matches with traditional copper or aluminum antenna.An example of the printed antenna that market can be bought is the FleX Wing that Precisia LLP company provides.

Activemoist checkout gear 30 can be designed to guarantee that battery is long-life, for example, by the power pulseization with battery supplied, or battery only is used for being used to generate the RF signal to the memorizer power supply with passive wetness checkout gear 30.Printed logic can be used for monitoring printed sensor and the result being kept at printed memory every preset time ground.In addition, if activemoist checkout gear 30 comprises more than printed sensor of the different location that is in theassimilate 10, logic circuit can be used for comparison from the signal of pick off and the data of character, degree and the position of collecting relevant assimilate 10 humidities.What cherish a special interest is the quantitative measurement thatmoist checkout gear 30 provides the state of assimilate, rather than simple on/off measure.Printed memory circuits can be used to preserve the record of the state of assimilate 10.Best, memorizer does not need stabilized power source.

Assimilate 10 of the present invention is used in combination with RF transmitter/receiver (transponder) unit 700 (Fig. 6).Head-end unit 700 comprises: the inductor coil that generates the RF field; The antenna of the RF signal thattesting circuit 40 generates; Indicating device as one or more audible acoustical generators, display lamp, display screen etc.; Power supply (for example, battery); And the circuit that is used to control inductor coil, antenna and indicating device.Indicating device can be to generate to hear the speaker of signal or the LED that lights (light emitting diode) when needing to change assimilate 10.Alternately, the state of assimilate 10 may be displayed on the display screen of a part that forms head-end unit 700.Head-end unit 700 is portable handheld device preferably, so that need not to disturb the wearer just can be easily and promptly determine the state of theassimilate 10 of wearer.

Head-end unit 700 generates the corresponding RF of the resonant frequency field with circuit 40.Circuit 40 produces resonance, and head-end unit 700 can detect the RF signal of generation like this.The RF signal thatcircuit 400 generates is useful in the scope of 10-100kHz alternatively.For can testing circuit the 40 more weak RF signals that generate, the RF field pulseization that head-end unit 700 is generated is not advantageously flooded so that any weak RF signal thatcircuit 40 generates can not be forwarded the RF field thatdevice unit 700generates.Circuit 40 also continues resonance a little while after interrupt the RF field that head-end unit 700 generates, so that can detect weak RF signal on unit 700.It will be favourable that the RF signal that allows head-end unit 700 comprise thatcircuit 40 generates is lower than the threshold value that it just can not activate indicating device.This provides does not need to change assimilate 10 after the incident of at every turn making dirty, the nursing staff can wait and reach the advantage of changing again after certain level of wetness.

Head-end unit 700 can be arranged to scan the frequency of certain scope.Like this, the resonant frequency that can toleratecircuit 40 has small deviation.In addition, by scanning the frequency of certain scope, can see circuit from the initial resonant frequency process of resonant frequency to the end, this changes assimilate after nursing staff can being waited reach certain level of wetness again.

Alternatively, head-end unit 700 comprises the memory element that can store the data relevant with the number of times of changing assimilate.This information can be downloaded to computer, be used for determining to add up or the consumption in future of assimilate is made a prediction by the nursing staff then.And, if particularelectrical circuit 40 provides the specific resonant frequency that can interrelate with specific wearer, can collect the wearer exclusive data.

Moist checkout gear 30 of the present invention can comprise a plurality ofpick offs 400 of the mutual zones of different that is arranged in assimilate 10.Like this, can monitor character, degree and position moist in the assimilate 10.Best, pick off 400 is arranged in the easiest crotch region that detects moist assimilate 10.In addition or alternately, assimilate 10 can comprise a plurality ofmoist checkout gear 30 of the mutual zones of different that is arranged in assimilate 10.Ifmoist checkout gear 30 is " short circuit " type (shown in Fig. 2 A-2B and as described in), it preferably is arranged in the crotch region that most possibly detects moist assimilate.Ifmoist checkout gear 30 is not such (for example, if it is the moisture-sensitive type), it is favourable making it not be arranged in crotch region, so that at once saturated at assimilate 10 Shi Buhui that made dirty.

The present invention is not limited by top description and embodiment should, but limited by appended claims.Especially, in conjunction with the feature shown in the embodiment can with replace from the characteristics combination of one or more other embodiment or by them.

Claims (16)

1. an assimilate (10) comprises at least one moist checkout gear (30), it is characterized in that,

Described at least one moist checkout gear (30) comprises at least one circuit (40), described at least one circuit (40) is integrally formed in the described assimilate (10), and described at least one circuit (40) is made by the electric active material (50) on the one or more parts that are printed on assimilate (10).

2. assimilate according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described moist checkout gear (30) is passive, and promptly it does not comprise power supply.

3. according to any one the described assimilate among the claim 1-2, it is characterized in that, described circuit (40) comprises parallel connection or series capacitors (60) and inducer (70), wherein, and the resonant frequency of the described circuit of variable effect (40) of the humidity of described assimilate (10).

4. assimilate according to claim 3 is characterized in that, the electric capacity of the described capacitor of variable effect (60) of the humidity of described assimilate (10).

5. assimilate according to claim 4 is characterized in that, described capacitor (60) comprises liquid absorption material (80), and described liquid absorption material (80) is included between the flat board (90) of capacitor (60).

6. assimilate according to claim 4 is characterized in that, capacitor (60) comprises water-soluble substances (80), and described water-soluble substances (80) is included between the flat board (90) of capacitor (60).

7. according to any one the described assimilate among the claim 1-6, it is characterized in that the resistance of the described circuit of variable effect (40) of the humidity of described assimilate (10).

8. assimilate according to claim 3 is characterized in that, the variation of the humidity of described assimilate (10) destroys the resonant frequency of described circuit (40).

9. according to any one the described assimilate among the claim 3-8, it is characterized in that, described circuit (40) further comprises and described capacitor (60) and described inducer (70) pick off in parallel or placed in-line (400), wherein, the variable effect of the humidity of described assimilate (10) flows through the electric conductance of the electric current of described pick off (400).

10. assimilate according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described moist checkout gear (30) is active, and promptly it comprises power supply.

11. assimilate according to claim 10, it is characterized in that, described moist checkout gear (30) comprises at least one printing unit, and described at least one printing unit is selected from the group that comprises printed battery, printed antenna, printed memory circuits, printed logic and printed sensor.

12. assimilate according to claim 11 is characterized in that, described at least one printing unit is to select from comprise the group as lower member: printed battery, printed antenna and printed sensor.

13. any one the described assimilate according among the claim 1-12 is characterized in that, described moist checkout gear (30) comprises a plurality of pick offs (400) of the mutual zones of different that is positioned at described assimilate (10).

14. any one the described assimilate according among the claim 1-13 is characterized in that, described assimilate (10) comprises a plurality of moist checkout gear (30) of the mutual zones of different that is positioned at described assimilate (10).

15. any one the described assimilate according among the claim 1-14 is characterized in that, described moist checkout gear (30) is printed near the parts of the described assimilate (10) the inner surface of the egative film (14) that is in described assimilate (10).

16. any one the described assimilate according among claim 1-7 or the 9-14 is characterized in that described moist checkout gear (30) provides the quantitative measurement of the state of described assimilate (10).

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